Between the years of 1851 and 1928, the British society witnessed a revolutionary transformation on how the U.K Government was run. During the 1850’s, Britain was an extremely harsh, class-based society which did not favour the idea of sharing power with lower-class, ‘ordinary’ people. This was demonstrated through the election system and which members of the public had the right to vote. One in seven men could vote but women were prohibited from having their say, the open voting system caused bribery, violence and widespread corruption. There were only two parties, Conservatives and Liberals, neither of which represented the working classes. Britain was predominantly an undemocratic Government filled with prejudice and unjust laws. This was …show more content…
During the nineteenth century, Britain witnessed rapid growth and movement in the population. By 1850, 50% of the population who worked in the countryside had moved to towns or cities in search of new jobs, and 75% by 1900. This was a result of scientific and technological developments causing industries to move to different places. Between the years of 1750 and 1850, the population more than doubled. This was due to an increase in younger marriages, rising birth rates and decreased death rates. As wages rose due to economic prosperity and the success of the growing revolution, many people were living comfortably enough to marry young and start families. In addition, health improvements and a better diet due to refined food production helped towards the death rates in Britain to fall over the period of the revolution. However, as the expansion and movement occurred so quickly, living conditions were frequently unsanitary as people were crammed together in tiny spaces. A Reform Act in 1867 doubled the electorate. All male house owners and male lodgers who paid ten pounds a year for accommodation were now given the right to vote. In addition, fifty-two